Man was left 'crumpled' after attack, inquest told

An entrance to a coroner's court with a close up of a gold sign with black writing that reads: "Coroner's Court & Officers", with an arrow pointing to a glass door. Image source, George King/BBC
  • Published

A man fell "crumpled" to the floor after he was attacked in a town centre, an inquest heard.

Andrew Roche, 42, died in hospital on 11 August after the incident near Ulster Avenue and Waterford Road in Ipswich on 25 July.

Det Insp Daniel Connick told Suffolk Coroner's Court that CCTV captured "the sound of his head hitting the floor".

Thomas Watchman, 38, of Wicklow Road, Ipswich, and a teenage boy have been charged with manslaughter and will appear at Ipswich Crown Court at a later date.

Senior area coroner Nigel Parsley described Mr Roche's death as "tragic" before adjourning the inquest until the conclusion of Suffolk Police's criminal investigation.

The backs of three police officers in yellow hi-vis jackets.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Thomas Watchman, 38, of Wicklow Road, Ipswich and a 14-year-old boy were both charged with manslaughter after Mr Roche's death

After being treated by paramedics at the scene, Mr Roche was taken to hospital before discharging himself "against medical advice", the inquest was told.

He eventually returned to hospital, where he later died.

Mr Watchman and the teenage boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 10 November.

Get in touch

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk?

Related topics